Reads for International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Anishinaabe elder and teacher Doug Williams—whose knowledge spans back to the 1700s—presents an engaging and important history of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg through personal and historical events. Together with Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar and author Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, this book challenges the pivotal historical events that have typically gone unquestioned in dominant historical narratives. 

In this novel, award-winning Cree author and poet Neal McLeod takes a satirical look at history, the Indian Act, and the emergence of “neechie swagger” in the ’60s and ’70s set in the fictitious Broken Elbow First Nation in Saskatchewan. There’s also a ton of references to food, like bannock and fried chicken so get ready to devour this book whole. 

Shortlisted for the 2018 Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize, An Honest Woman is a bold collection of poetry that explores the lives of women and well-known sex-crime stories to address questions about womanhood and femininity. Keeping the experiences of Indigenous women front and centre, the poems challenge the perception of women’s bodies and cultural norms.  

A poetry collection by Dene/Metis author Tenille K. Campbell, #IndianLovePoems provides a fresh, fearless take on love and lust in Indigenous communities. From The One to the One-Night Stand, this collection evocatively explores sex and relationships with humour and insight, getting at the complexities of race, culture, and intent within them. 

In a series of 10 conversational essays, Indigenous writer and scholar Lee Maracle explores a variety of current issues facing Indigenous communities—from colonialism, racism, feminism, and basic terminology. Providing a source of solidarity to Indigenous readers and education and ally-ship to non-Indigenous readers, My Conversations with Canadians is an absolute must-read.  

Tara Beagan’s new play In Spirit focuses on the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women along BC’s Highway of Tears through the story of a young Molly, who goes missing right before her twelfth birthday. A touching read, the play packs an emotional punch that reminds us why we can’t, and shouldn’t, forget. * * * For more Indigenous reads, check out Indigenous Litspace.